The Licensing Sub-Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to consider the renewal of a street trading licence for Falafel and Halloumi. The committee resolved to grant the licence renewal, subject to conditions.

Renewal of Street Trading Licence for Falafel and Halloumi

The committee considered the application for the renewal of a permanent three-year street trading licence for Falafel and Halloumi, located on the pavement adjacent to 99 New Malden High Street. The applicant, Bilal Al-Zaamut, has been trading from this location since February 2022 and held a permanent licence since August 2022. The proposed trading hours were Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 18:00.

The Metropolitan Police submitted an objection to the application, citing an alleged serious assault involving the licence holder, and therefore questioning whether the applicant met the suitability requirements for a licence under Section 25(6)(b) of the London Local Authorities Act 1990¹.

In response to the objection, the applicant provided 101 emails of support from customers. The committee heard representations and, after deliberation, resolved to grant the licence renewal. The decision was made to grant the application subject to conditions, as outlined in the standard conditions for street trading licences and additional agreed conditions. These included the requirement for the occupied area of paving to be washed weekly and for protective flooring to be placed on the paving within the gazebo during operational hours.

The extensive documentation submitted included numerous letters of support from customers, highlighting the quality of the food, the friendly service, and the positive contribution of the stall to the New Malden community. Many testimonials praised Bilal Al-Zaamut for his hard work, cleanliness, and the welcoming atmosphere he creates.